Chapter 983: Hight Stakes

The residence of the King of Northern Liang in Jubei City was shrouded in a heavy and solemn atmosphere. Dong Zhuo, besides having his original 140,000 private troops besiege Huaiyang Pass, further persuaded the Northern Mang Emperor to deploy 20,000 displaced criminals from the grasslands to participate in the attack on the outer city of Huaiyang Pass. The deranged Dong Zhuo vowed to pile up corpses to create a gentle slope for scaling the city walls. The left and right cavalry armies, led by Lu Dayuan and Li Yanchao respectively, after a series of small-scale skirmishes with the vanguard cavalry of the Winter Thunder Elite Cavalry and the Rouran Iron Cavalry, each eventually faced a major battle. Across two battlefields, four cavalry forces from Liang and Mang, totaling nearly 40,000 troops, were deployed, though clearly, neither side had committed all their forces. The combat strength of Northern Mang's Winter Thunder Elite Cavalry was surprisingly strong, and the Rouran Iron Cavalry, numbering 10,000, was also not to be underestimated. Compared to Jubei City's earlier estimations, the left and right cavalry suffered slightly heavier casualties, meaning that once entangled by the forces of the two Northern Mang Marshals, it would be difficult for them to disengage easily.

Once this main field army of Northern Liang outside the pass loses its flexibility for wide-ranging battlefield maneuvers, apart from the 10,000 Great Snow Dragon Riders who can still fight and retreat, the two heavy cavalry units, destined to be unable to participate in large-scale battles independently, are very likely to fall into a precarious situation. In contrast, Northern Mang's central army, after the second front established jointly by Wang Yong and Helian Wuwei, also had a Crown Prince personally leading the campaign. Beside this paramount Northern Mang royal, second only to the Emperor, were not only the Royal Iron Cavalry (Kheshig), rarely seen on the battlefield, but also two heavy cavalry units, named after the two great state surnames, Yelü and Murong, standing by menacingly. Heavy cavalry indeed possessed terrifying combat power, but they were highly dependent on large-scale main cavalry forces. This was like Sword God Li Chungang's 'Two Sleeves Green Snake' technique, which required immense qi support; otherwise, it would be a flashy but impractical dragon-slaying skill. This was the difficulty for Northern Liang in resisting Northern Mang's entire national army with the strength of just one region. If Northern Liang's border army could field an additional 100,000 cavalry, Northern Mang would certainly not choose Northern Liang as their path south into the Central Plains. Instead, they would turn directly towards the border between Liyang and Liangliao to go head-to-head with Grand Pillar General Gu. They might even have enough strength to split their forces and push into Jizhou, following the most familiar southern invasion route for grassland cavalry, striking directly into the heartland of the Central Plains, or turning east towards the Liyang capital region, even reaching the walls of Tai'an City without difficulty. However, in that scenario, the world situation would no longer be merely Northern Liang's Iron Cavalry posing a comfortable, constant threat from behind Northern Mang's forces, but rather leisurely watching from afar, patiently reaping the fisherman's profit. At that point, whether the Central Plains and the grasslands would be named Zhao or Murong would depend solely on the young King's mood; he might even decide to change the surname to Xu.

In the study next to the Second Hall's signing room, at noon, with the sun high and the heat oppressive, the small study ended up gathering six or seven high-ranking officials, including Chief Minister Wang, Yang Shenxing, and Bai Yu. Besides Vice-Commander Yang Shenxing, who was there to discuss military affairs, everyone else had openly come to escape the summer heat. Though the study was small, it was, after all, where only the young King handled official duties. The six departments' offices, though large, were crowded with a dozen or twenty people. Most importantly, Governor Li, with his unique ingenuity, personally arranged for a loquat tree to be transplanted into the courtyard outside the study. It was of moderate height, providing both shade without blocking too much light. Thus, the small study had subtly become an excellent summer retreat. While Yang Shenxing was discussing affairs with the young King across the table, behind this veteran general of the Spring and Autumn era, who had been banished by Liyang to the northwestern frontier, Mr. Bailian sat by the window, gently fanning himself with a cattail fan, enjoying the gentle breeze. Chief Minister Wang stubbornly dragged Li Gongde into a game of go, tapping pieces against the board, and even managed to catch the occasional cool drafts from Bai Yu's fanning—truly a pleasant scene.

The young King had already reviewed detailed military reports and intelligence regarding the left and right cavalry's combat experiences outside the pass. Yang Shenxing's visit today was not to reiterate old points, but because there was a massive problem currently facing Jubei City, or rather, all of Northern Liang's border army. The cavalry of the Qingyuan Military Town's Stone Talisman Unit, the Iron Buddha Cavalry, and the White Feather Light Cavalry—these three units, serving as crucial mobile forces outside Liangzhou Pass, apart from the primary field army—had now been redeployed to Mount Laoyu in Liuzhou. So, what would Jubei City do if the left and right cavalry failed to successfully defeat Murong Baoding's main force of 60,000 elite cavalry and were held firmly by the forces of Northern Mang's two Marshals, Wang Yong and Helian Wuwei? It could even be said that this risky troop deployment might very well lead to a tragic outcome where both Liang and Mang suffer devastating losses. Huang Songpu's main southern expeditionary force might be annihilated in the Mount Laoyu area, but Northern Liang would also lose the Huaiyang Pass line.

Yang Shenxing said with deep concern: "We never expected that while Yu Luandao led his troops to raid Xijing, Cao Wei's 10,000 cavalry would also make a northern thrust to support Yu Luandao's Ghost Riders. Yet, Northern Mang only withdrew cavalry from their eastern front, which was confronting Liangliao—Winter Nazha Wang Jingchong's cavalry—and then remained silent, as if completely indifferent to the safety of the Southern Dynasty's capital region. Instead, they ultimately ordered military garrisons along the way to reinforce Mount Laoyu to the south. Is that old woman insane, truly not caring at all that the entire Gusei Prefecture is engulfed in war? One must know that Gusei Prefecture, bordering two provinces to its north, has always been lightly garrisoned yet boasts well-developed postal routes. If we achieve a great victory at Mount Laoyu, and join forces with Yu Luandao and Cao Wei's cavalry, attacking from both inside and outside, is Northern Mang intending to hand over half of the Southern Dynasty's territory on a silver platter?"

Xu Fengnian dared not jump to conclusions, merely giving a wry smile: "If it were a Liyang Emperor who cherished his reputation, he would never dare to do this. But if it's that old woman, it's truly hard to say."

Yang Shenxing frowned, "If they trade like this, who profits and who loses? Is Northern Mang not afraid that our Iron Cavalry will crush the Southern Dynasty, preventing it from recovering for a decade and impeding their southward advance into the Central Plains?"

Xu Fengnian shook his head, "In the past, if the Liyang court still controlled the Central Plains territory, that would be true. But now, with the three kings raising armies, everything has become variable. Northern Mang can certainly make a desperate, all-or-nothing gamble."

Xu Fengnian gently held an egg-sized white jade pebble, caressing it slowly in his palm. This pebble had a slight date-skin red hue, a fine texture, and a simple, unadorned appearance. Xu Fengnian found it endearing. In truth, the object itself wasn't particularly rare; compared to exquisitely carved mutton-fat jade, its price was worlds apart. However, its origin was quite amusing: not long ago, Jiang Ni, Xu Ying, and Jia Jiajia secretly carried a heavy cloth bag back to Jubei City from who knows where. Their clothes were covered in dust and mud, and they swaggered into the study as if expecting praise, opening the bag's drawstring and spilling its contents onto the floor with a clatter. Most of them were charming and pleasant ordinary pebbles, interspersed with some celadon jade that might fetch a few copper coins. But the three indeed found a treasure: this high-quality white jade pebble that Xu Fengnian ultimately kept on his desk to admire. Xu Fengnian, ever cunning and smooth-tongued, knelt down and pretended to disparage the collection, claiming this stone was worthless and that one was an unsightly pebble unfit even for paving roads. Finally, with a sigh, he picked up the particularly attractive pebble with its beautiful skin, tossed it casually, then pulled five or six copper coins from his purse and tossed them to the dusty little figures, declaring it a "friendship price." Although the little figures were suspicious and felt they had been shortchanged, being novices in business, they allowed the young King to shamelessly take advantage of them. Realistically, a pebble of such excellent appearance and quality, if it found its way to a scholarly family in Jiangnan Province, would be worth at least twenty taels of silver; if a renowned jade craftsman were to carve it, its value would be even harder to estimate. When the three girls finally left the study, Jiang Ni's new purse, which had been empty since arriving in Jubei City, finally held some coins. Jia Jiajia hoisted the heavy cloth bag, now refilled with pebbles, intending to build a small nest in the courtyard to play, while Xu Ying held the copper coin Jiang Ni had given her. Everyone was delighted.

Yang Shenxing, who had been hesitant to speak, finally lowered his voice after an internal struggle and asked, "May I ask, Your Highness, why you are so determined to win the Liuzhou campaign? Even to the extent of moving Qingyuan Military Town's forces out of Liangzhou?"

Xu Fengnian suddenly tightened his grip on the pebble in his palm, which had grown warm, and gazed at the Vice-Commander who had found new life in Northern Liang, playfully asking, "Guess?"

Yang Shenxing was caught off guard and didn't know how to answer. After truly integrating into Northern Liang's official circles, this veteran general of the Spring and Autumn era had also learned some interesting Northern Liang anecdotes that hadn't reached the Central Plains or the capital, such as how the Old King of Liang, Xu Xiao, particularly liked to say "Guess?"—it was one of his catchphrases.

Seeing the old man's undisguised restraint and helplessness, Xu Fengnian smiled and said straightforwardly, "There are many internal details involved. For example, the Northern Mang Crown Prince once sent me a message, Yelü Dongchuang privately met with me before leaving the Central Plains for the grasslands, and there's a long-term plan related to Hongjia's northern flight. It even implicates Wang Sui, the commander of Northern Mang's western front, and Grand Pillar General Gu, who is stationed in Liangliao. If I were to go into detail, I'd probably be talking until night. I believe General Yang can confirm one thing: on the battlefield outside Liangzhou Pass, north of Jubei City, given the troop strengths of both Liang and Mang, our Northern Liang Iron Cavalry simply cannot achieve an overwhelming victory in a direct confrontation. At best, it would be a Pyrrhic victory, and it's even possible to suffer a complete defeat if we're not careful, isn't that right?"

Yang Shenxing nodded without hesitation.

Xu Fengnian gently placed the white jade pebble on the desk, like a piece on a chessboard. "When my master was alive, he tirelessly told me a truth: the depth of a grandmaster's skill is always beyond the chessboard itself. As a child, I thought he was just making excuses for his poor stamina in chess, since he always lost to my second sister. But over time, I came to realize that this principle applies to all worldly affairs that require a decisive outcome, just like Go."

Xu Fengnian slowly stood up and pressed his finger on the pebble. "In his early years, when Xu Xiao was in the most difficult circumstances in Liyang, his forces were always few because he fought too many tough, no-win battles that others were unwilling to touch. So why were the high-ranking officials in Liyang's Ministry of War still willing to bet on Xu Xiao every time? It's simple: Xu Xiao always managed to win a battle precisely when almost everyone doubted him, thereby attracting the attention of the court and making the old foxes who held military power feel it was worth betting on him again. The internal details I mentioned earlier, those grandmasters hidden behind multiple curtains, are actually very subtle. Both our Northern Liang and they understand that they won't act until they see a clear opportunity. There's no other way; Northern Liang can only take an unconventional approach, making those standing at the gambling table feel that it's time to sit down, time for a big gamble. Otherwise, if they act too slowly, they'll only get scraps."

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, "None of these fellows have small appetites, so I have to show them sincerity. For example..."

Yang Shenxing instinctively pressed, "For example?"

Xu Fengnian said softly, "For example, while the Iron Cavalry outside Liangzhou Pass ensures Jubei City remains secure, the Liuzhou cavalry achieves a great victory at Mount Laoyu, then marches north to capture Xijing, the Western Capital of Northern Mang's Southern Dynasty."

Yang Shenxing, a grandmaster in both officialdom and on the battlefield, immediately understood.

However, this veteran general, who had experienced the ravages of the Spring and Autumn era, felt no ease; instead, his heart grew heavier.

The young King only spoke of holding Jubei City. So what about the territory north of Jubei City?

Huaiyang Pass, and the three major military towns: Liuya, Fuling, and Chongzhong.

Chu Lushan, Zhou Kang, Li Yanchao, Lu Dayuan—four great generals.

At some point, everyone else in the study had left, leaving only the two standing across the table.

After Yang Shenxing also left the study, the young King held the pebble, walked to the window, and looked up at the loquat tree. Although it was already mid-autumn, its foliage remained lush and green.

Spring, summer, autumn, winter: leaves can remain ever-green. Birth, old age, sickness, death: humans do not live forever.